Anecdote
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’S “THE WALL”
Here’s an excellent video for Bruce Springsteen’s song about the Wall, which opened to the public on Nov. 13, 1982. Videos can be interesting additions to lessons.
Anecdote
An interesting historical story.
Anecdote
MYTH #4 – Columbus Was the First to Believe the Earth Was Round
When I was in elementary school, I can remember my teacher telling a story about the young Christopher Columbus watching a ship leave the harbor. He noticed that as it got further away it disappeared, but with its sails staying in sight longer than the hull. Eureka! Columbus deduced Read more…
Anecdote
TAINTED CONVICTS
Frederick the Great once visited a prison. At each cell, the inmate invariably proclaimed their innocence. Finally, he reached a cell where the convict remained quietly seated on his bed. Frederick looked in and said: “And what crime are you innocent of?” Convict: “I am guilty and deserve to Read more…
Anecdote
DONKEY AND ELEPHANT
In 1828, Andrew Jackson was running for President. His opponents called him a “stubborn jackass”. Jackson liked the description and put a donkey on his campaign posters. The Democrats decided to adopt the donkey as their symbol. They put it on campaign posters and flyers. In 1874, there were Read more…
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FORGOTTEN HERO: Casimir Pulaski
Kazimierz Michal Wladyslaw Wiktor Pulaski was born to a noble family in Warsaw on March 6, 1745. He loved the military so he became a cavalryman when he grew up. He fought the Russians, but his side lost. A failed attempt to kidnap the pro-Russian king got Pulaski exiled. Read more…
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THE GUNPOWDER PLOT
British teachers probably know about the Gunpowder Plot like American teachers know the assassination of JFK, but for everyone else, here is the story of the origin of Bonfire Night. In 1603, Elizabeth I died without an heir. The son of her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, James Read more…
Anecdote
THE MOST FAMOUS MARINE IN WWII
John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916. He was the sixth of ten children. He dropped out before high school. In 1934, he spent part of this tour in the Philippines. When his enlistment was up, he returned to civilian life, but it did not suit him. He Read more…
Anecdote
MYTH #3: Washington’s Wooden Teeth
A myth that is still believed by many is that George Washington had dentures made of wood. This myth appeared in textbooks as late as the early 20th Century. He had at least four pairs of false teeth during his lifetime, but none were made of wood. It is Read more…
Anecdote
THE QUIZ SHOW SCANDAL
In the early days of TV, quiz shows were extraordinarily popular. The suspense of watching a contest sweat out a question that could make or break them was compelling entertainment. There were a bunch of these shows, including “The $64,000 Question”, “The Big Surprise”, “Dotto”, and “Twenty-One”. What viewers Read more…
Anecdote
A PRESIDENTIAL ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
We’re all familiar with the assassination attempts that succeeded. Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy. And most are familiar with the attempt on Reagan’s life. And the two attempts on Ford’s life. Less know about the Andrew Jackson incident. All were by people who were lacking in sanity. But there was Read more…